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DJ Maphorisa shares how Wizkid influenced him to start making Amapiano
South African DJ, producer, and songwriter DJ Maphorisa has credited Nigerian superstar Wizkid for introducing him to Amapiano, the genre that has become a global phenomenon originating from South Africa.
In an interview with the BBC, the award-winning hitmaker recounted how Wizkid played a pivotal role in his transition to becoming one of the key figures in the Amapiano movement.
Maphorisa revealed that his journey began during a night out with Wizkid at a club in Pretoria. When the DJ played an Amapiano track, Wizkid immediately took notice of the unique sound and inquired about it.
“Before that, Amapiano was already bubbling in South Africa’s underground scene, but I never really paid attention to it until Wizkid showed interest,” Maphorisa shared. “I thought if Wizkid really vibes with this sound, then there’s something there. He’s the one who really put me on the sound.”
“Wizkid was the one that put me on Amapiano when it was still an underground sound”
– DJ Maphorisa
— BASITO (@itzbasito) January 12, 2025
At the time, Maphorisa was focused on creating Afrobeats and Afro-House music. However, Wizkid’s enthusiasm inspired him to dive into Amapiano, which would later define his career. Today, Maphorisa stands as one of the genre’s most influential figures, working alongside stars like Kabza De Small.
Maphorisa also credited Wizkid as the first Nigerian artist to explore Amapiano, referencing the Grammy winner’s collaboration on Sponono with Burna Boy and Cassper Nyovest, a track that helped catapult the genre into the international spotlight.
This revelation underscores Wizkid’s knack for spotting and amplifying new sounds, as well as Maphorisa’s pivotal role in bringing Amapiano to the forefront of global music.